Enniskillen U14s 14 Virginia U14s 12

Enniskillen Girls U14s secured the Ulster Cup title following a hard fought 14-12 victory over undefeated Virginia at Rainey OB.

This was the first meeting of the sides since the first game of the season in September at Mullaghmeen which Virginia ran out easy winners 7-64.

Skins kicked off in dry warm conditions and the well organised Virginia forwards and midfield backs started well but some strong tackling from Mia McGrath, Nikki McChesney and Cara Brock showed that Skins were certainly up for the challenge.

On five minutes an attempted Virginia clearance kick was collected by Rowena Kells who was brought down on the 22. After quick service from Julia Mulligan and Cerys Robinson, Cara Brock crashed forward supported by Ruby Moore and Natalie Turner.

Excellent rucking from Abi McCarthy-Magwood and a crash ball to Alice Seaney gained more ground close to the Virginia line. Abigail Kernaghan was on hand to secure the ruck and Mia McGrath was hauled down but Skins retained possession and slick handling by Julia Mulligan and Cerys Robinson put Rowena Kells clear to sprint home on the right wing. Alice Seaney added the conversion from a difficult angle to give Skins a 7-0 lead.

Conditions began to deteriorate rapidly with a heavy shower which made handling very difficult for both sides. Virginia were responding well to being seven points down but attacks were being repelled by determined Enniskillen tackling by Captain Jessica Kingston and Carrie McCourt in monsoon like rain.

After a period of sustained pressure the Skins rear guard was breached as Virginia scored an unconverted try. Julia Mulligan was growing into the game, with her trademark sniping runs, linking well with Alice Seaney and Abigail Kernaghan and the speedy Natalie Turner. As the rain eased Virginia scored again and this time it was converted to leave the score 7-12 at the break.

At half time the Skins girls were reminded this was only a five point game, they had started very well and this was the last 25 minutes to play as a group together and to leave Magherafelt with no regrets.

Skins began the second half revitalised. The forwards and backs were linking well together. Skins were awarded a penalty which was kicked to touch.

The pack set up a beautifully executed driving maul from the resultant line out and after several phases an infringement gave Virginia the chance to relieve the pressure with a penalty.

A quick tap and a tackle from Jessica Kingston who was deemed not to have retreated 10 metres resulted in a yellow card for the captain and five minutes off the field. Karla Crozier came on soon after for the injured Ruby Moore.

A clever steal at the front of the line out by Mia McGrath and some slick handling gave Karla Crozier a chance to stretch her legs as the sun reappeared. Both teams were defending for their lives with the determination you would expect in the second half of a cup final.

Jessica Kingston came back on and Skins continued to pummel the Virginia line and indeed crossed it twice but the with an upright body angle which made it too easy for Virginia to get under the ball to prevent the grounding.

A goal line drop kick was caught beautifully by the impressive Carrie McCourt who attacked route one.

Soon after, Skins were awarded a scrum 15 metres out and a deft transfer between Cerys Robinson and Nikki McChesney and a fabulous hard running line from Cara Brock carved up the Virginia defence. The industrious Julia Mulligan pounced over from two metres to send the Skins support into a frenzy.

Alice Seaney coolly added the conversion to give Skins a 14-12 lead.

Cerys Robinson fielded the ball directly from the restart as Skins were working hard to protect the slender lead with only minutes to go. It was all to play for and to their credit, Virginia threw everything at Enniskillen but Skins steely defence was resolute and on the last play kicked calmly to touch to end the game and win 14-12 and bring the cup home.